Latest News
Local health leaders are encouraging people to check their eligibility for routine cancer screening following a powerful message from His Majesty The King, highlighting how early diagnosis can save lives and improve outcomes.
Southend-on-Sea City Council is making Christmas tree recycling easier than ever this festive season, with a new free bookable collection service and seven temporary drop-off points across the city, alongside changes to bin collections and garden waste services.
Residents are being urged to continue coming forward for NHS care during five days of strike action by resident doctors, with life-saving services maintained and GP practices remaining open as flu season places additional pressure on hospitals.
Health & Wellbeing
Local health leaders are encouraging people to check their eligibility for routine cancer screening following a powerful message from His Majesty The King, highlighting how early diagnosis can save lives and improve outcomes.
Our Community
A look back over Southend East and Rochford’s achievements in 2025, celebrating community wins, restored funding, improved youth provision, and strengthened local action — with optimism for 2026.
Local Charities
Television personality and Dogs Trust ambassador Pete Wicks visited local homelessness charity HARP to film a festive For Dogs’ Sake special, delivering Christmas gifts for dogs and highlighting how pets provide vital emotional support for people experiencing homelessness.
General Interest
Southend-on-Sea is set to sparkle this festive season with magical events including Father Christmas at Prittlewell Priory, lantern tours, festive screenings, Santa’s Space Day, New Year’s Eve fireworks, and free parking every Sunday in December.
Enter our Competitons ...
We’re delighted to bring you this month’s fantastic competition, kindly sponsored by the ever-popular Angel Inn Pub in Shoeburyness – a welcoming local favourite known for its relaxed atmosphere and great pub dining.
Southend United League Position
| # | Team | Played | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5 | Carlisle United | 24 | 49 |
![]() | 6 | Scunthorpe United | 23 | 46 |
| 7 | Southend United | 22 | 38 | |
![]() | 8 | FC Halifax Town | 24 | 35 |
![]() | 9 | Hartlepool United | 24 | 34 |
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
We’re delighted to bring you this month’s fantastic competition, kindly sponsored by the ever-popular Angel Inn Pub in Shoeburyness – a welcoming local favourite known for its relaxed atmosphere and great pub dining.
Here’s your chance to enjoy an unforgettable evening at one of Southend’s most magical dining spots. San Fairie Ann is known for its stunning vintage décor, chandeliers, live music, cocktails, and incredible food, and now you could experience it all with someone special.
Southend is overflowing with festive cheer this year, offering families, friends, and visitors an incredible variety of Christmas…
In this December edition, we look at Southend’s future, from local planning concerns to community campaigns. Plus, festive events to enjoy, a chance to win a £100 dining voucher at San Fairie Ann, and a warm Christmas message from Publisher Emma Wynne-Morgan.
Bedford’s decision to approve 1,100 new homes despite Anglian Water’s pollution warnings offers a stark warning for Southend and neighbouring areas, which together face housing targets of 51,000 new homes. Southend Against Sewage highlights decades of underinvestment and the risk of infrastructure collapse if councils continue ignoring capacity limits.
Southend is facing rising costs, transport cuts, division, and the long-term consequences of privatisation. Cllr Stuart Allen calls for fairness, investment, cooperation, and a proper long-term plan to rebuild services, protect communities, and create a better, more connected Southend.
At a Glance Essex Police have relaunched their popular Sort Your Settings campaign, continuing their commitment to helping…
Southend United
Southend United’s trip to Rochdale came to an early halt on Saturday afternoon after persistent heavy rain rendered the Crown Oil Arena pitch unplayable, leading the referee to abandon the fixture in the 77th minute. At the time, Southend trailed 2–1 despite having made a strong start.
This is an elegant starter for Christmas day and quite light. You can use a smoked fish of your choice, smoked salmon, flaky hot smoked salmon, smoked mackerel or smoked trout. I’ve given you a recipe making homemade mayonnaise but you can easily use Hellman’s. Enjoy!
Things to do in Southend!
Boredom? Never heard of it — not in Southend! Whether you’re a local on the lookout for fresh adventures or visiting for the weekend, you’ve just stumbled across your ultimate guide to fun.
UP AND COMING EVENTS
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